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Wayne State University Law School

Wayne Law is the premier public-interest law school in the Midwest. Every day we train the next generation of lawyers, advocates and leaders. Our civil rights, entrepreneurship, environmental and international programs, and their related clinics, set Wayne Law apart as an advocate for justice committed to serving the community. If you're looking to make an impact with your career, join us at Wayne Law in Midtown Detroit.

Overview

Overview

About Wayne State University Law School

Wayne Law is the premier public-interest law school in the Midwest. Every day we train the next generation of lawyers, advocates and leaders. Our civil rights, entrepreneurship, environmental and international programs, and their related clinics, set Wayne Law apart as an advocate for justice committed to serving the community. If you're looking to make an impact with your career, join us at Wayne Law in Midtown Detroit.

Mission Statement

For more than 80 years, Wayne Law has produced creative, motivated leaders who have shaped the modern face of society through remarkable contributions to law, business and education. The Law School brings together a thriving community of thinkers from all walks of life and prepares them to face important issues with thoughtful and creative solutions – living up to a tradition set by the Law School's founders.

Reviews

A proudly local institution, Wayne State University Law School maintains deep ties in the city of Detroit and with an active alumni network throughout Michigan. Thanks to the school’s “very strong connections with Detroit law firms,” students feel integrated into the city’s legal community before they even graduate from law school. Moreover, “many political leaders and judges around Detroit are Wayne graduates, and often lend a helping hand to fellow Wayne students.” As a result of these associations, Wayne Law affords ample “opportunities for federal and state judicial internships,” in addition to prestigious clerkships at local law offices. For those who want to give back, the school also operates numerous clinical programs and extracurricular activities within the city. A student elaborates, “There are a lot of great programs and activities for the students to get involved in at school that directly impact Detroit and other areas, like the Keith Center for Civil Rights, Environmental Law Society, and even more!” Wayne State further demonstrates its commitment to educating Detroit lawyers through its “very reasonable tuition costs” and openness to nontraditional students. Operating a traditional full-time JD program, as well as an evening program, the school “keeps costs down and maintains accessibility to part-time students who otherwise would not have access to a law degree.” For both full- and part-time students, the JD curriculum begins with a set of core courses in contracts, civil procedure, torts, and other key areas; thereafter, there are “very few required upper-level courses,” and “you can really be independent in planning your own schedule.” Of particular note, “the business law classes, especially the tax classes, are second to none,” spearheaded by a team of “highly respected professors who not only have in-depth knowledge of the law but sig­nificant experience practicing.” On the other hand, “the course offerings are not the most diverse,” so “it is always a race to get into the desired courses.” Fortunately, most classes are excellent. Wayne State’s “outstanding” professors all “come from great law schools and have a real passion for teaching.” Whenever students reach out for additional guid­ance, professors “answer emails promptly and are always available for personal meet­ings when needed.” In addition to the academic curriculum, Wayne State students appreciate the “practical skills offerings, including a very strong national mock trial team,” in addition to the clinics; citing their strength, many would like to see the school offer “more practical skills credits” for these activities. The academic programs are a great return in terms of the cost of tuition, but not every­thing is state-of-the-art at Wayne Law. “Classroom buildings could use an update,” as well as new technology. At the same time, “the new Damon Keith Center for Civil Rights is fantastic,” and “the library is run extremely well and the librarians are very helpful.” When it comes to the nuts and bolts, the “administration is wonderful. Both by appoint­ment and walk in there is always someone who is not only there to help you but who is genuinely happy to help you.” Unlike students at many law schools, Wayne State stu­dents specifically praise the school’s career services department. A current student details, “When I was trying to apply to internships with federal judges, career services edited and checked my resume, and cover letter several times for me. Then, when I got an interview, career services did a mock interview with me and provided me with the names of several WSU students who had internships with the judge in the past, as well as alumni who had clerked for him.” Another adds, “They blew me away not only with their sincere and genuine interest in helping all students obtain employment, but also the creative and innovative ways they go about doing so in this difficult legal market.” Again, those local connections come in handy when it comes to the job hunt: “If you want to work at a large firm in Detroit or southeastern Michigan, Wayne State gives you the best opportunity to do so.”

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Academics

Degree Programs Offered

Description: An advanced, professional study of tax law and taxation procedures in U.S. or Canadian jurisdictions affecting individuals and corporations.

Job Opportunities:

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Description: An advanced, professional study of the law and process related to the regulation of businesses and the financial services industry. Includes instruction in corporate law, antitrust law, securities law and regulation, negotiation, incorporation, partnerships, trusts, and related topics

Job Opportunities:

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Description: A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of law, for taking state and national bar examinations, and for advanced research in jurisprudence. Includes instruction in the theory and practice of the legal system, including the statutory, administrative, and judicial components of civil and criminal law.

Job Opportunities:

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

Judicial Law Clerks

Assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.

Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers

Conduct hearings to recommend or make decisions on claims concerning government programs or other government-related matters. Determine liability, sanctions, or penalties, or recommend the acceptance or rejection of claims or settlements.

Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators

Facilitate negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue. Resolve conflicts outside of the court system by mutual consent of parties involved.

Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates

Arbitrate, advise, adjudicate, or administer justice in a court of law. May sentence defendant in criminal cases according to government statutes or sentencing guidelines. May determine liability of defendant in civil cases. May perform wedding ceremonies.

Law Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in law. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Description: Any program in legal research and advanced professional studies not listed above.

Job Opportunities:

Lawyers

Represent clients in criminal and civil litigation and other legal proceedings, draw up legal documents, or manage or advise clients on legal transactions. May specialize in a single area or may practice broadly in many areas of law.

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